Barre Talk with Robert Hill

Joshua Vickery, Founder and Executive Director of Central Florida Community Arts, joins Robert Hill on this week’s Barre Talk. CFCArts strives to make the arts affordable and accessible and uses the arts as a catalyst to create change in the community in a variety of ways. Joshua and Robert talk about the partnership between Orlando Ballet and CFCArts, the arts community in Orlando, and Joshua’s journey into the arts.

This week’s Barre Talk guest is world-renowned ballerina, Lauren Anderson. Lauren danced with Houston Ballet and became the first African-American to be promoted to principal dancer at Houston Ballet. Lauren currently works in Houston Ballet’s Education and Community Engagement program where she conducts master classes at area schools, and lectures to students on dance and her historic career as one of America’s most distinguished African-American ballerinas. In the spring of 2016, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture awarded her with a permanent exhibit.

Robert is joined by Aleksandar Antonijevic on this week’s episode of Barre Talk. A former principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada for over 20 years, Aleksandar talks to Robert about his career and extending his love of dance from the stage into his passion behind the lens.

Mother-daughter duo Yan Chen and Chloe Misseldine join Robert Hill on this week’s Barre Talk! Yan Chen is a former soloist at American Ballet Theater and current Ballet Master at Orlando Ballet. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Chloe Misseldine is currently an apprentice with American Ballet Theater. Chloe began her training as a child at Orlando Ballet School before joining American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in 2018.

This week Robert is joined by Tony Award-winning theater director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell. The two cover a range of topics from their early days as colleagues to their respective roles today. Mr. Mitchell, who in 2013, earned the Tony Award for Best Choreography for “Kinky Boots,” was also nominated for Best Direction of a Musical. Mitchell is currently the director for “On Your Feet,” a musical about the lives of Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

Robert chats with world-renowned choreographer, Val Caniparoli and former principal dancer, now ballet stager, Maiqui Mañosa! The three talk about time spent at Orlando Ballet preparing for the now postponed performance of Lambarena, their careers, and an exciting project they’re working on remotely during the pandemic.

Robert sits down with Krista Ledden, former company dancer with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Twyla Tharp Dance. Krista is an Orlando Ballet Board member and fitness thru dance instructor at Orlando Ballet School. The two talk about Krista’s career, her philanthropy at Orlando Ballet, her popular BeMoved class and dancing at any age!

Robert sits down with Orlando Ballet company dancers, Adam Boreland and Matthew Cunningham to talk about their wickedly entertaining roles in Orlando Ballet's "Cinderella" from the 19/20 season, and their journeys becoming professional ballet dancers. 

Desmond Richardson was a principal dancer at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and is the co-founder and co-artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Desmond joins Charmaine Hunter and Robert Hill for a conversation about the state of dance, their careers, and how artistry is shifting post-COVID-19 as an artistic director.

Phillip Broomhead is a former Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet and Houston Ballet and the current Orlando Ballet School Director. Phillip joins Robert for a conversation about their careers, how Orlando Ballet School is navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, and what they are most proud of at Orlando Ballet.